Manu has remained intact and untouched by civilization. Thus, we can observe a variety of animals in their natural habitats, including: Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), Black Caiman (Melanosuchus Niger), the majestic Jaguar (Panthera onca), the strange Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the Ocelot (Felis pardalis), 13 species of primates, and an estimated one thousand species of birds including seven species of Macaws (Ara sp.).
Manu also contains 10% of the world’s vascular plant species, including several species of figs and palms, as well as countless species of medicinal plants that scientists are currently cataloguing. A single hectare of forest in Manu can have up to 220 species of trees, while a hectare of temperate forest in Europe or North America may only have 20 tree species.
Manu National Park may be the most biologically diverse and protected park on the planet.
IMPORTANT
Manu National Park is not endemic area about Malaria neither Yellow fever you can bring a good insect repellent but if you decide to put the yellow fever vaccination for prevention you can do it 10 days before start your trip to the jungle.
We leave Cusco early in the morning in our specialized overland vehicles. Approximately mid-morning we visit the interesting Pre- Inca tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu pass, which marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Here, a thick cloak of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. This varied and fascinating world is home of the Cock of the Rock, Spectacled Bear, Orchids, Tree Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens. This cloud forest exists between 2000 and 3500 meters above sea level and at least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. We have lunch on the way with a spectacular view overnight in our lodge “Orquídeas de San Pedro”.
Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird. The male birds are a vibrant reddish orange and about 5:00am. as many as several dozen come together for an exhibition of a ritual mating dance in a comfortably installed on an observation platform called “Lek”. The males display their crest, showing off and posturing for the females. The females, fewer in number, watch to select the most suitable males. After breakfast we continue down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward Pilcopata town (*1) for 2 hours approximately (*2). A 50 minutes bus ride to the port of Atalaya where we have lunch then we will board our covered outboard motor boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for approximately 40 minutes toward our private reserve of “Erika Lodge” where we will spend the next two nights. Short walk around the lodge.
(*1) Free Optional: Here in Pilcopata we will make the final settings for a 3 hour tropical jungle river rafting trip down the Kosñipata River where we will have the opportunity for a dip and of course enjoy the spectacular view of the Koñeq canyon. Continuing down the tropical river of Alto Madre de Dios to Erika Lodge.
The Lodge is located in a transition zone between high and low jungle (500 m.a.s.l. to 1,150 m.a.s.l), After the breakfast you guide explains the different habitats, altitude range and the high diversity of wildlife found around this lodge, so immediately we will start walking near the riverbanks, during the hike our guide will talk about insects, medicinal plants, trees, reptiles, mammals, etc. This afternoon we board our boat, and after five minutes, we will walk for another 40 minutes approximately though a very nice trail to observe and talk about the interesting flora fond such as sensitive plants, heliconias, fruit plantations, etc. until we arrive to Machuwasi Lake where with the help of a telescope we can observe great egrets, tucanets, carpenters, Keskadees, cardinals, etc. Short night walk to observe American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs and an incredible variety of insects
After breakfast, we will talk about our program for the last day we start walking again near the riverbanks, during the hike our guide will talk about insects, medicinal plants, trees, reptiles, mammals, etc. Early afternoon we will start a short ride by boat to visit a small lake near to the Alto Madre de Dios River, here we are going to have the chance to see the Hoatzin, a primitive bird, white caimans, many species of birds, insects, This will be our last night in the wonderful amazon jungle Overnight in the lodge etc.
2 New!!! Canopy Zip Down free: Our guests traverse from tree to tree and platform to platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables, as they sail through the treetops of the tropical rainforest canopy, and over the trails far below. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the virgin rain forests and explain what’s going on around you, from the time you leave the ground, until you rappel back down to the forest floor.
This day we will get up very early to board our boat, and after five minutes, we will arrive to a Parrot Lick “Collpa”, which is a wall of clay in the riverbanks, where many species of parrots such as the blue headed parrot, white-eyed parakeet, feed for mineral and salt supplements to their digestion of seeds and fruits. After breakfast we will board the boat to Atalaya port, which will take us to Cusco city, we have lunch on the way arriving late in the afternoon. END OF OUR SERVICES.
Price per person in US dollars:
| ADULT | USD 449 |
TARGET PERU EXPEDITIONS EIRL
Urb. Velasco Astete C-20 Cusco - Perú
+51 84 260513 | + 51 984712717 | + 51 974427905
www.targetperutravel.com
reservas@targetperutravel.com